The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-05-04

trills showed practiced hand, and we
let our amazement die away in admira-
ton as our guest drew out the tones of
the instrument.
"Ohl what is that?" cried Nettie, as
he closed magnificent piece.
"Only voluntary. l was trying to
fancy your orchestra"
"Do you mean that you composed it
as you played?' cried Nettie, at the
climax of her amazement.
"Of course; don't you? thought
those pretty, graceful little pieces were
just like you. DO you know" he said,
earnestly, that you are the first
woman | ever spoke to since my mother
died? l felt, when your voice fell upon
my ear, like this"
A few low, exquisitely modulated
chords-and then followed dreamy,
waltz-like melody, full of sweetness
and pathos. No loud burst, no strong,
ringing notes broke the charm, as,
softly melting one into another, the
first chords were repeated, fading away
into silence.
Nettie's eyes filled, and surely never
woman had more touching compli-
ment.
The summons to dinner broke the
! silence, and our guests color returned
as he followed Norman's lead to the
table, but Nettie had broken the ice of
his bashfulness and he took place be-
tween her and Norman. There was
no gaucheriet to mark the clown. He
ate and bore himself like gentleman
and. by ready tact, saw where new
customs fitted to his own and acted
accordingly. After dinner Nettie took
him out to admire her flowers and Nor
man told me this:
:" You see, auntie, his father was a
half-crazy musician, who had the idea
that he was an unappreciated genius,
and buried himself in that out-of-the-
way hole when John was but ten years
old. Fortunately he took with him his
piano, violin and library, and has been
in the habit of sending to New York
for new publications and music. Read
ing, practicing, shooting, riding and
walking have made up his life till last
year, when his father died, and John
found himself heir to a large property,
that had accumulated in these years of
seclusion. He wished to come East,
but waited for some of the trappers to
lead him out of the wilds. am glad
to be of this service, for his ignorance
of daily life and his wondering frank
ness would make him an easy prey for
sharpers."
The DAYS melted into weeks and the
fall had come, yet our guest still lin
gered. Norman had introduced him to
some less outlandish garments than his
own, had persuaded him to part with
his long locks, and Nettie's walks and
drives could boast a very handsome es
cort in her backwoodsman. He had
won warm place in my heart; his ten
derness to Anna, his delicate, natural
courtesy to myself, his love for Nor
man and his own sterling worth were
every day making him dearer, and
when he at last left us, to travel with
Norman, there was not a dry eye on
the porch as we looked after him.
"Auntie," said Nettie to me, as we
sat over the fire that evening, John
wants me to be his wife"
Well, dear?'
" He don't know any other girls,
auntie; so have sent him off to try
his heart by comparison of my charms
with others, and if he comes back still
loving me may l marry him?"
cob! Nettie, nothing could make
me happierl"
e" If he finds another love-" she con-
tinued, in lower tone
"Well?"
" L shall die!"
But Nettie did not die. One year
later, when our rovers returned, there
was a Joyous meeting between the
blushing girl and her tall, distinguished
looking lover, and we had as gay a
wedding the month following as was
ever put on record. -Selected.